Folding table



Jan. 16, 1945. G. R. BICKNELL ETAL 2,367,261

FOLDING TABLE Filed Feb. 7, 1941 Sheets- Sheet 1 I Ba INVENTORS GEORGE R. BICKNELL FREgYA. HEIDENFELDER 7% M ATTORNE 19454 G. R. BICKNELL T AL ,3

FOLDING TABLE Filed Feb. 7, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS GEORGE R. BICKNELL 9 FRQEYD A. HEIDENFELDER M 5 ATTORNEYS Patented Jan. .16, 1945' FOLDING TABLE George It. Bicknell, Antioch, and Fred A. Heidenfelder, Chicago, Ill., assignors to The American Laundry Machinery Company, Norwood, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application February 7, 1941, Serial No. 377,925

11 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in folding tables, particularly those designed for the folding of men's shirts.

An object of the present invention is to provide improved means for holding a shirt beneath a folding blade while the folding operationsare being performed.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved means for properly centering the shirt on the table relative to the folding plate so that all shirts are uniformly centered and folded.

Another object of the invention is to provide novel means for mechanically ironing a portion of the shirt while it is being folded.-

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the accompanying drawings and specification and the essential features will be set forth in the claims. In the drawings,. Fig. 1 is a general perspec tive view of the folding table; Fig. 2 is a fragmental plan view of a portion of the top of the folding table with the folding plate in the folding position, showing in dot-dash lines a shirt folded thereon and showing the clamp" for holding the'folded halves of the shirt in position while the tail is being brought up and a holding tape applied; Fig. 3 is a fragmental detail bottom plan view of the collar holding and forming mechanism looking in the direction of the arrows 3-3 of Fig. 5; Fig. 4 is a fragmental plan view of the top of the folding-table showing in dot-dash lines a shirt dressed thereon for folding and a fragmental portion of the folding blade in folding position, parts of this view are broken away to show a heated yoke ironing shoe; while Fig. 5 is a fragmental sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

The folding table here disclosed is of the type which utilizes a blade III pivotally mounted at Ii near the table top and movable from the open position of Fig. 1 down upon a shirt lying on the table top to the position shown in Figs. 2, 4 and 5 and thereafter the halves of the shirt are folded over the blade in which position they are temporarily held by the clamp i2 while the tail of the shirt is folded up as indicated at l3; Fig. 2, after which a binding tape or securing .band is fastened about the folded shirt and the shirt is removed by sliding it off the free end of'the blade ID. The clamp i2 is carried by the blade l0 and is of the type which will remain in either open or closed position by means of a spring H which passes to opposite sides of the clamp pivot l2a when the clamp is swung by the operator.

The above use of a folding blade is old but we believe it is specifically new to pivot the blade so that it oscillatesin a path toward and away from the operator; In prior uses of such folding blades the operator has stood at one of the sides of the table, i. e., at its right or left side as indicated in Fig. 1, rather than at a working position at the front which is the normal working position in utilizing our improved folding table. Fur- .thermore our table top has been inclined downwardly from rear to front as best seen in Figures 1 and 5, permitting the operator to perform all of the operations of folding the shirt while standing in a comfortable, erect position, without the necessity of awkwardly twisting and bending her body.

The upper surface of the table top, for the I most part, is unobstructed and has a smooth surface along which the material of the shirt readily slides while arranging it, but it may be provided with friction means for preventing the main body of the shirt from slipping after it has once been-draped or arranged on the table top,

pose is a block 39 of rubber or other friction ma- Also, the table terial, later to be referred to.

a top may be provided with guide strips 15, as

shown in Figs. 1 and 4, which may be made of rubber or are provided with a rubber or other friction producing surface. These guide strip perform the dual purpose of holding the bands which are secured about the shirt after it has been finally folded, and also of preventing themain body of the shirt from slipping on the inclined surface of the table after it; has been properly draped thereon and during the folding operation while the folding blade is in operative position.

The table top may. be mounted on its pedestal for adjustment vertically and for adjustment angularlywith respect to the horizontal if desired.

Incorporated in the present table is a collar block assembly for holding, forming, and ironing the collar portion of a shirt in position on the folding table. This device is indicated generally at I6 and forms the subject matter of Patent No. 2,192,786, granted March 5,. 1940," to Homer P. Campbell, to which reference may be had for more complete description if desired. Briefly stated, a'front block I! and two side blocks l8 each of substantially the height of a shirt collar are mounted for coordinated movement toward and away from each other so that when in contracted position the collar or. neckband portion of a shirt, facing downwardly, may be placedand expand to hold and iron the collar portion.

Referring to Figs. 3, 4 and 5, the side blocks have pins l8a which extend downwardly through slots in a guide plate is and bell cranks 20 are connected with an actuating bar 2| to one end of which is rigidly secured the front block H. The bar 2| is mounted for reciprocating movement and it will be obvious from a consideration of Fig. 3 that movement of bar 2! downwardly in Fig. 3 or forwardly in Fig. causes expansion of the blocks while movement of the bar 2! upwardly in Fig. 3, or rearwardly in Fig. 5, causes contraction of the blocks. This movement of the, bar is accomplished by providing the same with a link connection 22 to an operating rod 23 pivotally connected by a branch 23a to the frame at 24. This rod has a connection at 25 with the pedal 26 adjacent the operators position. Stepping on the pedal causes rod 23 and bar 2! to move rearwardly and upon release of the treadle a spring 21 surrounding rod 23 causes the opposite movement or expansion of the blocks. Preferably electrical means is provided for heating the blocks as indicated at 28, Fig. 5. Referring to Fig. 4, plates l'la hinged to block I! enter grooves in blocks l8 and plates lBb connected with blocks [8 overlap at the rear of the neckband so that the members ll, Ha, l8 and I822 comprise a continuous support about the neckband or collar portion of a shirt and this is adjustable to accommodate various sizes. Preferably a block 29 is rigidly supported in a central position between the blocks i1 and i8 for supporting the central rear portion of the shirt yoke when the shirt is .in the position shownin Fig. 4.

Associated with the above described collar block assembly, we have provided a novel means for ironing a portion of a shirt which is diflicult to iron by machine without special equipment. This portion is indicated at A, Fig. 4, and is on the front yoke adjacent the collar or neckband of the shirt. The means here disclosed for ironing this spot comprise parts duplicated on both sides of the neckband and one only will be de scribed, the others being given the same reference characters. An arm 30 pivotally mounted in the frame at 3| carries at its free end a shoe 32 having a vertically upstanding portion 32a arranged to iron the portion of the shirt coming in contact therewith when the shirt is laid down for folding as shown in Fig, 4. Meansv is provided for heating the shoe 32 as for instance the electric means 33. A spring 34 is indicated for bias-j ing the shoe 32 inwardly toward the shirt neckband and adjustable stop means 35 engages against the base plate at 36 to limit this movement when the collar block assembly is contracted. Thus the shoes 32 accommodate themselves automatically to various sizes of shirt collars.

Preferably the arms 30 are of resilient spring material arranged to bias the shoes 32 slightly upwardly above the table surface so that when the shirt is laid in folding position and the blade I!) brought down thereon as shown in Fig. 4, the

resilient mounting of the arms 30 permits the shoes 32 to'be firmly engaged by the shirt regardless of slight inequalities. When the parts are in this position just described it may be desirable to support the Shoes firmly so as to produce the proper ironing effect and in such case an adjustable stud 31, Fig. 5, may be provided on each shoe and arranged to engage against the base plate 2,367,261 over the blocks, after which they are released 38. It results from this construction that when the stud'3'l is properly adjusted the blade it will hold the shirt firmly against the solidly backed or supported shoes 32 with the thickness of the shirt and the chipboard carried by clip lila acting in a manner similar to the padding on the usual ironing buck.

Means is provided for frictionally holding the shirt in position beneath the folding blade it while the operator performs the folding operations. To this end a block of friction material 39 which may be of sponge rubber Or the like is inserted in the surface of the table preferably extending slightly above the general level of that surface as indicated in Fig. 5. It results from this arrangement that when the shirt is laid on the table and over the block 39 and the blade I0 brought down thereon, there is little tendency for the shirt to move.

Preferably also means 'is provided for holding the blade l0 down in folding position while the operator performs the necessary movements. To this end we have supplied magnets 40 adapted to attract the blade I0. This blade is made of magnetic material, preferably steel, although it will be obvious that the same results are obtained if only that portion of the blade lying over the magnets 40 is of magnetic material. Preferablyas shown in Fig. 5, the top surface of magnets 40 is just below the surface of block 33 so that the blade I0 is strongly attracted toward the magnets without quite engaging them or at least causing the blade to press the shirt down firmly against the resilient surface of block 33.

Means is provided for aiding the operator in centering the shirt when the same is draped on the table in the position of Fig. 4, This means comprises a small translucent lens ii placed approximately in the plane of the surface of the table and centered below the blade ill, with a light bulb 42 beneath the table in position to shine through the lens. With a shirt in the posi-' tion indicated in Fig. 4, the light shining through the lens 4i permits the operator to center the button and buttonhole strips of the shirt as there indicated. Thus all shirts are properly positioned and evenly folded. The light and other electrical equipment on the table is energized in any suitable manner and preferably controlled by the switch 43. Preferably the light 42 is wired in series with the heated ironing shoes so as to indicate when they are energized.

It will be noted that the front edge of the table is curved downwardly toward'the operator into depending apron form at the point 44 so that, when the shirt is draped on the table, it is not creased if the operator accidentally leans against it. i

The operation of the folding table of the present invention is as follows: Assuming the parts in the position shown in Fig. l, with the folding blade ID in its upper, idle position, the operator applies a shirt to the table, face down, while at the same time depressing pedal 25 to contact the collar block assembly. The'neckband of the shirt, which projects downwardly, is introduced into the neckband'receiving recess in'the table top and in a position surrounding the collar block assembly, with the back yoke portion of the shirt lying over the blocks l1, l8. Thereupon pedal 26 is released and the collar block assembly automatically expands and firmly clamps and holds the neckband in proper position, symmetrically disposed with respect to a center line running fore and aft along the table top, between its parallel side edges and also midway between the side edges of the folding blade, when the latter is rical with reference to the center line of the table top, by locating the button and buttonhole stripsof the shirt over the illuminated lens 4|. As shown in Fig. 4 this illuminated window has portions lying laterally beyond the edges of the button and buttonhole strips, and because the latter involve extra thickness of material they show up darker, against the window, "than surrounding portions of the shirt. So that it is possible by pulling down on the shirt tails and sweeping her hands over theshirt body, for the operator to arrange the shirt upon the table top in 'sym-' metrical position by a draping operation, as it were, which may be accomplished quite conveniently and rapidly on account of the slope of the board and the readiness with which the material accepts the new position in which the operator drapes it. 7

When the shirt has been symmetrically draped upon the table top, with its tails draped over the convexly curved depending apron at its lower end, a chipboard (if one is to be used) is placed in the clip Illa of the folding blade, and said blade is then moved down to its operative position upon the shirt. Thereupon the folding operation proceeds. But, during the folding operation, the

operator at all times is enabled to check upon and retain the symmetrical arrangementof the shirt with respect to the folding blade, because the window 4| is not only on the center line before referred to, but below the lower edge of the folding blade, when the latter is in operative position. When the folding blade is down, the

added pressure thereof upon the shirt and the contact of the shirt with the guide strips IS on friction block 39 largely prevents accidental displacement of the shirt. But in case it occurs the operator can readily readjust the shirt to symmetrical position by pulling lt in one direction or the other againstthe firm hold upon the shirt at the neckband clamping blocks, which form a pointof anchorage, as it were, with reference to which the shirt is oriented.

With the chipboard and folding blade in position the right and left side edge portions of the shirt are folded inwardly, one over the other, and temporarily held beneath the clamp l2, as shown in Fig. 2. The tail of the shirt is'then folded upwardly over the rest of the shirt and the usual wrapping strip or band (not shown) lying be,- tween the guides- I5 is brought about over the shirt and secured in position. Meanwhile .the

. blade W has held the front yoke portions A of the shirt in contact with the heated ironing shoes 32 to finish those portions; The treadle 25 is then' depressed, blade in is partially raised and blade l0.

What we claim is:

1. In combination on a table top used for folding shirts, a folding blade' pivotally connected with said table top for raising and lowering movement toward and away from .it, said blade at least a portion thereof of magnetic material, a friction surface lying beneath a portion of said blade when in its lowered position and adapted to engage the lower surface of a shirt when the upper surface of the shirt is engaged by said blade, and a magnet located on the table top in registry with the magnetic portion of said blade when the latter is in lowered position and adapted to attract and hold the blade down when it is lowered.

but without appreciableeffect upon it when it is raised.

2. In combination on a surface used for folding shirts, a folding blade pivotally movable toward and away from folding position near said surface upon a shirt to be folded, said blade at a point relatively remote from its pivot having at least a portion thereof of magnetic material, a

block of resilient -material lying beneath'said blade when the latter is in its folding position, said block having its upper face slightly above said surface, said block having a recess, and a magnet positioned in said recess below said upper face of said block and adapted to attract the magnetic portion of said blade when the latter is in folding position and being without appre ciable effect upon it when it is raised.

3. In combination on a surface used for folding shirts,,a folding blade movable toward and away from folding position near said surface upon a shirt to be folded, adjustable means for holding the collar portion of a shirt to be folded,

a pair of heated ironing members located generally below said surface, said members having surfaces registering and parallel with said blade when the latter is in folding position, means mounting said ironing members for oscillation toward and away from said adjustable means,

whereby to accommodate shirts having different size collar portions, and said folding blade in folding position being adapted to-hold a portion of said shirt against said ironing members.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein said mounting means comprises a resilient arm carrying each ironing member, and each arm is pivotally mounted to provide for said oscillation. 5. The combination of claim 3 wherein said mounting means comprises an arm carrying each ironing member and mounted to provide'said,

' cess, a light source for illuminating said opening,

a folding blade movably connected with said table top for raising andlowering movement toward and away from a shirt lying upon it, said blade having smooth side edges 'so that a shirt folded about said blade may be easily removed,. the side edges of said blade when in lowered position being symmetrically disposed on either side of the center line connecting said recess and said opening.

7. A shirt folding table of the character described in claim 6, said table top being provided with neckband holding means lying within said recess, whereby after the blade is lowered a shirt at a point relatively remote from itspivot having 7| withits neckband held in said recess may be symmetrically arranged with respect to the blade by pulling upon' or otherwise manipulating the tails with respect to the neckband.

8. A shirt folding table of the character described in claim 6, said folding blade being made of opaque material, and said light transmitting opening in the stationary table top being located beyond the end of said blade when the latter is in lowered position, whereby symmetrical arrangement of the shirt with respect to the table top and folding blade may be determined with reference to said light transmitting opening when the folding blade is in either raised or lowered position.

9. A shirt folding table of the character described in claim 6, said folding blade being made of opaque material and said light transmitting opening in the stationary table top being located beyond the end of said blade when the latter is in lowered position and also having portions lying laterally beyond the side edges of a shirt buttonhole strip of normal width, whereby symmetrical arrangement of the shirt With respect to the table top and folding blade may be deter mined with reference to said light transmitting opening when the folding blade is in either raised or lowered position.

10. A shirt folding table, comprising a frame provided with a top having a generally smooth upper surface which slopes downwardly toward with its neckband in said recess to be smoothed out and draped downwardly upon the sloping top with its tails symmetrically draped over the curved apron, and a folding blade movably connected to the upper portion of the table top for raising and lowering movement toward and away from both a shirt draped upon the top and an operator standing at the working station and when in lowered position being located symmetrically with respect to said center line, said top being provided with an opening which is located on said center line between the curved apron and the end edge of said blade when the latter is lowered, and a light source below said opening for assisting in locating the shirt while draping the same on the table top and while folding it around said blade.

ii, A shirt folding table, comprising a frame having a stationary top provided with a surface on which a shirt may be arranged for foldme, said table top being provided with a recess in said top surface to receive the neckband portion of a shirt lying face down upon the table and with a light transmitting means spaced from said recess, a light source for illuminating said means, a folding blade movably connected with said table top for raising and lowering movement toward and away from a shirt lying upon it, said blade having smooth side edges so that a shirt folded about said blade may be easily removed, the side edges of said blade when in lowered position being symmetrically disposed on either side of the center line connecting said recess and said means. I

' GEORGE R. BICKNELL.

FRED A. HEIDENFELDER. 

